STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD

WORKSHOP SESSION- DIVISION OF WATER RIGHTS

NOVEMBER 3, 1999

ITEM: 11

SUBJECT: PROGRESS REPORT BY THE MONTEREY COUNTY WATER RESOURCES

AGENCY (MCWRA) ON LOCAL EFFORTS TO CONTROL SEAWATER INTRUSION AND

NITRATE CONTAMINATION IN THE SALINAS VALLEY

DISCUSSION: The groundwater in the Salinas Valley has been degraded by seawater intrusion and nitrate contamination. The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) had considered implementing an adjudication under its authority contained in Sections 2100, et seq, 275 and 100 of the Water Code and Article X, Section 2 of the California Constitution to address these problems. However, the SWRCB decided it would prefer a local solution to these important water quality problems. Therefore, the SWRCB postponed any adjudicatory action to allow the MCWRA an opportunity to develop and implement a local solution.

MCWRA has indicated that it plans to pursue a phased approach to addressing the seawater intrusion and nitrate contamination problems in the Salinas Valley. In a letter dated May 27, 1998, SWRCB Executive Director, Walt Pettit, requested MCWRA to provide an oral progress report at the SWRCB's January 1999 Public Workshop. In that letter, MCWRA was reminded that an appropriate plan for addressing seawater intrusion and nitrate contamination needs to include specific goals, a time frame for achieving those goals, and an appropriate mechanism for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the plan. MCWRA was also requested to identify a funding mechanism and any contingency plans in the event that the anticipated funding mechanism failed.

MCWRA provided a progress report to the Board at the January 6, 1999, SWRCB Workshop. That presentation included information on the draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Project Plan for the Salinas Valley Water Project. Since the January Workshop, MCWRA staff has been responding to comments on the draft EIR, and investigating the feasibility of an additional alternative that was not included in the draft EIR.. The MCWRA’s presentation will include information about comments received on the draft EIR and the elements of the new alternative.

POLICY ISSUE: Is MCWRA making adequate progress to control seawater intrusion and nitrate contamination?

FISCAL IMPACT: Review and oversight of this activity is not budgeted under the SWRCB's water right activities. If the local effort to control seawater intrusion and nitrate contamination is deemed insufficient, it may be necessary to allocate resources for an adjudicatory proceeding.

REGIONAL BOARD IMPACT: None at this time. If MCWRA’s local efforts fail, Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, Region 3, will need additional resources to address this issue.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION: N/A – Infoirmation Item.